While not her official birthday today, Smallsteps celebrated her 9th with her Finnish family this afternoon, and the weather did hold off, so there was a mix of indoor and outdoor cake eating. My wife did a great job baking and made a baked cheesecake with a sweet cherry sauce, which was fantastic. She also made brownies and a couple different berry pies. Then with coffee and tea, and some candy, there was enough sugar to give a whale diabetes.
Per the instructions provided, there were no "gifts" that came wrapped, just cards. And no, they weren't filled with money either. Instead, what Smallsteps wished for was time with people, so she got a trip to play minigolf with one of the older cousins, and a hiking trip with the other. And then from her Aunty and the younger cousins (who are older, but still live at home), she got a trip to a spa centre with them during the autumn school holidays. From another Aunty she got a museum trip, and from grandparents, she got a voucher to a trampoline park.
She is very happy with her presents.
She got nothing from her cheapskate parents, though we bought her a new bed a month ago which was for her birthday and, we are going to get her ears pierced (she wants them done) some time in the near future. She doesn't know that this is happening yet I think.
And by that look, I have obviously kept my job as the world's most annoying dad.
While these events are great for everyone, they are always a bit boring for me, since I am not really part of all the discussions. I can add a word here and there and occasionally make a joke, but for the most part, I sit silently observing what is happening, or in the kitchen cleaning up a bit. But, these events are not for me, they are for others, so I don't mind being on the peripheries of the conversations and I don't expect people to include me.
And it will be similar on Wednesday when her friends come after school to join for a party, but I am part of the entertainment. We are going to be making beaded bracelets and then have a fishing game (with lollipops as the fish) - and I will be behind a curtain, playing the part of the fish, in very bad Finnish. The kids tend not to know what to make of it, but they still have a lot of fun. It won't be long until I am far too embarrassing to be part of the festivities though.
But I will still try!
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Be part of the Hive discussion.
- Comment on the topics of the article, and add your perspectives and experiences.
- Read and discuss with others who comment and build your personal network
- Engage well with me and others and put in effort
And you may be rewarded.
The real question is, how many compliments did you get on your new patio area?
Now - this is the rub. Many. People really liked it. This house has changed a lot in the last five years and having the patio there on the outside has completely shifted the "first" impression of the place. These people have of course seen the full transformation over the years :)
That's awesome. It has to be a point of pride for you. Our patio isn't quite as visible, but I think if we were to sell our house, it would definitely be a selling point.
Happy "celebrated" birthday!
There will be more to come for her, so she is excited.
That's the best, see her excitement, that is priceless.
Wishing her a year as bright and joyful as todays celebration! May her adventures be sweeter than sugar and more fun than fishing for lollipops (even with Dads interestin fish impressions). Enjoy every moment!
Really loved these thoughtful and adventurous gifts. You have given precious memories and joyful time with loved ones which she will remember for a long time. In money's case, it's spent and forgotten soon 🥲.
And if you don't mind me asking. Why is that you feel bored during these festives? Is it parental thing or difference of thought?
She is realising that things don't have a lot of value.
So many people speaking so fast at the same time, and talking about "family stories" that I don't understand. My Finnish just can't keep up, and even if it could, I don't have much I can add. I try to listen, but it is hard.
I wonder the reason she wanted no presents, I think gifts go a long way to spice up birthday celebrations. Nonetheless making meaningful connections with people and engaging in fun activities can be better than gifts. Certainly she's going to hang on to the memories a long time. I wish her a happy and joyous birthday.
I think it is because she has a lot of stuff, but she doesn't get to spend a lot of time with these people normally. Having it as a present means there is obligation to provide :)
Celebrating with family and emphasizing shared experiences is really what birthdays are meant for. Your wife's baking skills definitely stood out, and I bet those enjoyable activities will leave lasting memories for Smallsteps :)
She started asking for more experience stuff last year, and she still talks about the trips :)
Sounds like Smallsteps had a wonderful and memorable celebration 🎉🍰 Love the idea of gifting experiences instead of wrapped presents—it’s so thoughtful and lasting. And that cheesecake with cherry sauce sounds heavenly!
She really enjoys spending time with people and she is "forcing" herself to be braver and try more. It is great to see, as she is generally pretty shy and reserved.
Happy birthday little one. God bless your new age. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and special day of your daughter with us.
Cheers. It is always interesting to hear what different places and cultures do for these kinds of events. What is it like where you are?
Prosperous birthday to her, many years to celebrate on earth🎂🎉🍾
Those are cool gifts! A gift of time is the most you can give to someone whos love language is quality time. As it happens to be our daughter's love language is also quality time over anything else. Though cute alpaca's from Inkari also work :)
Love the idea of wishing time with people. That's a very elaborate wish for a kid her age, you must've been quite proud of that.
Were the cakes all gluten and dairy free, so Smallsteps could eat them? A friend of mine is experimenting with that sort of cake, she has a chronic inflammation in her spine and eating less gluten helps her with that. And since Lily and I often come for play dates, she takes the occasions to make vegan gluten free cakes, and they're incredible (mostly). It's amazing what people came up with in the last 15 years.
First of all, a cordial greeting and big congratulations on your birthday. That's right. We should give our all for those unforgettable moments. Also, regarding the large amounts of sugar, let's hope it's an occasional consumption, only on special occasions. I also have to celebrate my two daughters' birthdays next September. I can't overlook those two important dates. During these holidays, all we can do is remember when we were children; we should have fun even if our tastes have changed. We carry the child inside, and it's part of our spiritual theme. Long live the family and other loved ones. See you later, @tarazkp
You'll get more of them when she's an annoying teenager, along with the eyeroll if that isn't happening already XD
Yay for birthday festivities :)
Smallsteps seems so enjoyable. The joys experienced in childhood are never forgotten; they are always remembered. Even at 60, a person still longs for their childhood. Therefore, we should do everything we can to ensure that children have a good, productive, and enjoyable childhood.
It sounds like Smallsteps had a lovely and thoughtful celebration. I like how the gifts were all about experiences and spending time together rather than just stuff like money or other edibles. Seeing how her mother baked cheesecake and berry pies sounds delicious. You did try your best to get some things done, and it's normal that not all the jobs pertaining to the birthday will involve you.
I’m sure the upcoming bracelet-making and fishing game will be a lot of fun for her and her friends. It’s nice that you still make the effort to be part of her special moments, even if it means playing the “fish” in bad Finnish like you said behind 'the scene'
I applaud the fact that, even if you're not having fun, you dedicate that quality time so they can have a wonderful time accompanied by your talent.
I hope you manage to insert yourself in some way that allows you to enjoy yourself even more and thus transmit much more light that everyone will appreciate.
Big hugs and success this Wednesday!
!Sloth
!MMB
!STRIDE
!HUG
!INDEED
!WEIRD
What a lovely way to celebrate. Gifts focused on time and experiences mean so much more than things. Also, that cheesecake is amazing infact would love to have some today 😂🥰🥰